Running For Judge Becomes More Costly

Gone are the days when political loyalty and a few thousand dollars in campaign funds were all that were needed to become a judge in Cook County.

Democratic Party slating still counts for something, but now judicial candidates also need a lot more cash.

The stakes were increased considerably in the Democratic primary in March, when one of the losers raised and spent more than $100,000, according to recent campaign spending reports filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections. It is believed to be one of the larger amounts ever spent in a primary contest for Cook County Circuit judge.

Ellen Napleton Roche, a lawyer since 1984 and member of a family that owns auto dealerships throughout the Chicago area, spent $102,338 to finish third, with 72,950 votes, among nine candidates competing for one of the Circuit Court vacancies on the primary ballot, according to campaign spending reports.

Though the totals don`t compare to the amounts raised by the candidates for governor or Cook County Board president-lawyer Richard Phelan, for example, spent more than $2 million to win the Democratic nomination for board president in March-judicial races traditionally have been low-budget campaigns.

``Years ago, the party affiliation or party backing was the key to victory,`` said Jeffrey Gilbert, president of the Chicago Council of Lawyers, which has been a strong proponent of appointing judges on merit rather than electing them.

``Then people came along and beat candidates with party backing. That encouraged more people to run and bring with them as much money as they could.``

Like other judicial hopefuls, Roche of Burr Ridge put some of her own money-$6,000, according to records-into her campaign and got money from relatives. Her father, Francis Napleton, contributed $3,000 to the campaign committee and paid $4,500 to underwrite a February fundraiser at the Martinique restaurant in Evergreen Park, according to records.

``She`s a member of the family,`` said Napleton, whose business interests include Napleton Cadillac in Park Ridge.

But unlike other candidates who solicit from lawyers, Roche also received significant contributions from area auto supply companies. S&S Automotive Parts in Elmhurst contributed $1,500, and Arrow Auto Supply in Chicago tossed in $500, according to the campaign spending reports.

Repeated attempts to reach Roche for comment were unsuccessful. She was rated not recommended by the Chicago Council of Lawyers and the Chicago Bar Association because she chose not to participate in their screening processes. Roche`s spending may have affected the other candidates in the primary contest, which was won with 124,822 votes by Judge Philip Bronstein, who was endorsed by Democratic regulars.

Bronstein, who is seeking election after being appointed to the bench last year, said he spent about $39,000 on the primary campaign, including $10,000 to $15,000 in personal loans. He said Roche`s fundraising forced him to spend more than he had intended, though he said it didn`t alter his campaign strategy.

``You want to make sure your message goes out as well,`` Bronstein said.

Others among the 83 candidates competing for the 12 Circuit Court vacancies in the judicial primary reported campaign expenditures ranging from ``a couple hundred dollars`` to $63,431, spent by Judge Themis Karnezis, according to interviews and state reports.

``It`s more than I wanted to spend. It`s disgusting that I had to spend that kind of money,`` said Karnezis, who defeated three candidates in another Democratic primary contest.